Jan. 17-March 12
Registered in 1998 as a World Heritage Site, Kasuga Grand Shrine was built in the eighth century as a prayer offering for the protection of Heijokyo, (the capital of Japan, 710-784) and for the prosperity of its people. The Tokyo National Museum is honoring the site with an exhibition of the shrine¡¯s treasures, curated to show visitors how it once played an important role in public society.
Highlights include ¡°Seated Monju Bosatsu (Manjusri) and Attendants,¡± which depicts the synthesis of Buddhism and Shinto, and ¡°Kinji Raden Kenukigata Tachi,¡± a ¡°hair tweezer-style¡± sword inlaid with mother-of-pearl on a gold background, and artworks related to deer, animals that have long been deemed messengers of Shinto gods.
Tokyo National Museum; 13-9 Ueno Koen, Taito-ku, Tokyo. Ueno Stn. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. ?1,600. Closed Mon. 03-5777-8600;
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